BUCS Head is back with a bang, and we look no further than the Women’s Championship Four to discover the crème de la crème of women’s sweep rowing on the university circuit. With many winter miles under their belts – both on and off the water – the crews competing for a podium position in this event will undoubtedly provide an exhilarating race to the line.
Imperial College London BC
Perhaps surprising to some, the recent success story of the women’s programme at Imperial certainly renders them worthy of a mention here. Among the swathe of household names that traditionally dominate this event, I am very intrigued to see whether the Imperial women shift up a gear into the championship division, and try their hand at making a serious stamp on the contest. The Imperial women’s squad demonstrated particular success at Fours Head this year, as their top boat brought home the pennant in the women’s academic coxless fours. This stands the Imperial women in good stead for a solid showing here.
Edinburgh University BC
One of the stalwarts of women’s rowing, Edinburgh had a strong showing at the rescheduled Rutherford Head and their sights will be set on a good haul at BUCS. For several reasons including COVID induced restrictions, their women’s squad wasn’t up to it’s usual form last season, but by all accounts they are back firing this year and out for blood. Some decent performances at GB trials indicate the top of the squad is on good form, so it looks like they will have the firepower to contend the top spots.
Durham University BC
With no Newcastle in this event, Durham will be the ‘home’ favourites, something not to be underestimated on this course where steering and managing the weather is so important. Natasha Morrice and Sophie Chumas had a strong performance at trials recently, putting themselves perhaps as the top sweep athletes at this event. All this will give the crew the confidence they will need to attack the race in pursuit of the win.
Prediction
In spite of the potential standout performances mentioned here, I have no doubt that it will remain all to play for on the day. Based on this season’s results up to now, I would perhaps suggest that Durham and Edinburgh will take gold and silver, with a potentially disruptive entry from Imperial or Nottingham providing a strong case for bronze. Now that we have settled firmly into the 2021-2022 season, this 5km stretch of the River Tyne is arguably the pinnacle long-distance event in the university rowing calendar. Testing endurance, resilience, and the performance of athletes’ baselayers in the unforgiving conditions up north in February, BUCS Head is the prime opportunity for student championship athletes to set a precedent for the remainder of the season.
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